Ryanair to Close Berlin Base, Halve Flights Due to Rising Aviation Costs in Germany
Ryanair will shut its Berlin base in 2026 and reduce flights by 50%, citing increased airport fees and aviation taxes in Germany as key factors.
Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair announced plans to close its Berlin base by October 24, 2026, withdrawing all seven aircraft from Berlin Brandenburg Airport and cutting its flight operations to the German capital by half. This reduction is expected to decrease annual passenger traffic from 4.5 million to approximately 2.2 million.
The company attributed this strategic move to the rising cost environment in Germany, which it deems too expensive for budget airlines. According to Ryanair, the Berlin base closure is part of a broader redeployment of aircraft to more cost-effective airports in other European Union countries such as Sweden, Slovakia, Albania, and Italy, where some aviation taxes have been eliminated.
Cost Pressures and Aviation Tax Increases
Ryanair’s decision follows an announcement from Berlin Brandenburg Airport about an additional 10% increase in airport fees scheduled between 2027 and 2029. The airline highlighted that airport charges in Berlin have already surged by 50% since the Covid-19 pandemic despite a 30% drop in passenger numbers—from 36 million in 2019 to 26 million projected in 2025.
Germany’s aviation tax has more than doubled since 2019, rising from €7.30 to €15.50 per passenger. Security fees are set to double as well, increasing from €10 in 2024 to €20 by 2028. Additionally, air traffic management fees have climbed from €1 to €3.30 per passenger, all of which contribute to higher operational costs for airlines operating in Germany.
"German aviation is in crisis," said Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson. "The government acknowledges the sector's lack of competitiveness yet has no plan to reduce aviation taxes or airport charges."
Wilson also recalled that Ryanair has previously closed bases in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart, and has discontinued flights to Dresden, Leipzig, and Dortmund due to similar cost challenges.
Responses and Future Steps
Berlin Brandenburg Airport representatives have contested Ryanair’s claims about the planned fee increases, labeling the airline’s decision as unexpected. Negotiations between the parties are reportedly ongoing.
Ryanair plans to commence consultations with its Berlin-based staff soon. The airline assures that all flight crew members will be offered positions at other locations within Ryanair’s expansive European network as the company aims to accelerate passenger growth and create new job opportunities across other bases.
